CAS

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Inspiring Illustrations - Fantasy Art - 15

15).
The Raid

Bodvar,
Heidrek, Hersir and Olaf are the first four over the castle walls into the
keep.

Bodvar
is an older warrior and leader of this raid. He is a tall mad, as are most of
the Norsemen with him. His bear is plaited and white, though some blond can
still be seen among the silver. He is an experienced warrior, still strong and
quick, but also well trained and skilled with sword and shield. He bears a
blade from eastern lands but his shield is plain. His armor is said to have
been crafted by dwarves, the links do not rust and they dull the edge of swords
as if the mail were stone. His helm is from the south and east. A great captain
wore it and Bodvar looted it from his corpse after defeating him in desperate
combat. His cloak is made by elves and the pin he wears is of gold that gives
him strength.

Heidrek
stands behind his warchief. A lifelong companion to Bodvar and is his trusted
lieutenant. He is immensely strong though not as quick as his friend. He too is
grey and his hair is cut so short beneath his helm that only the tattoo on his
skull of a raven in flight can be clearly seen. His axe returns to his hand if
thrown, a thing of awesome magic, and his sword glows a bluish light if enemies
are near. It always holds a keen edge and never dulls. The helm was crafted for
him and always can he see in darkened rooms. No flare of light can blind him or
illusion fool his eyes while he wears that helm. He bears no armor except a
tunic soft as silk but strong as the breastplate of a Roman chief. His shield
is made from the bones of great birds. It is light as a feather and like a
feather it causes Heidrek to land if he should fall or jump from a height.

Hersir
is shorter than his companions. Once a thrall to Bodvar but long ago he proved
his worth and paid his debt of servitude. Now he is one of the Warchief's sworn
companions. His hair is dark, the grey just streaking his beard. He is furtive
and quick, agile and a shadow in the darkness when he wants. Hersir acts as a
scout. First upon the wall and through the door. His spear belonged to Hjalmar,
a great man among his people, but he lived long and sat upon a throne when the
Raven King called him to die in battle. Bodvar raided his hall and Hjalmar fell
to Hersir's knife between the shoulders as he turned to run. Hersir claimed his
spear, true and sharp enough to pierce a Dragon's hide. His sword looks plain
but at word it will dance before and fight as a battle-brother beside him. His
dagger is a terrible weapon said to have been taken from the cold realm of Hel.
A cut from the blade can freeze a man in place. It smokes like warm breath on a
cold day when it is drawn. His shield was crafted by fire spirits and no touch
of flame will harm Hersir while he bears it. His armor is simple padded stuff,
but strong as chain and light as a thin shirt. His helm is taken from a mounted
warrior chief of the Dumnonii. When wearing it no stone, bolt or arrow can
touch him.

Olaf
is thin, but wiry and still strong though he is older than the others. He was a
boon companion to Bodvar's brother and serves him loyally, but he has heard the
Raven King's call and no seeks glorious death in battle. His gear and weapons
are simple. His shield is always on his back as he wants the honor of seeing
his deathwound and his slayer. His sword, his sword is of great power. It can
shear through armor as if it were cloth. It is called Dvergar's Kiss and it
sings a song that gives strength to Olaf and all his companions when it takes a
life or severs a limb. Olaf does not plan to return from this raid.

Appendix N

Appendix N: (From Gygax's DMG)

Inspirational And Educational Reading

Inspiration for all of the fantasy work I have done stems from the love my father showed when I was a lad, for he sent many hours telling me stories he made up as he went along, tales of cloaked old men who could grant wishes, of magic rings and enchanted swords, or wicked sorcerors and dauntless swordsmen. Then too, countless hundreds of comic books went down, and the long-gone EC ones certainly had their effect. Science fiction, fantasy, and horror movies were a big influence, in fact, all of us tend to get ample helpings of fantasy when we are very young, from fairy tales such as those written by the brothers Grimm and Andrew Lang. This often leads to reading books of mythology, paging through bestiaries, and consultation of compilations of the myths of various lands and peoples. Upon such a base I built my interest in fantasy, being an avid reader of all science fiction and fantasy literature since 1950. The following authors were of particular inspiration to me. In some cases I cite specific works, in others, I simply recommend all their fantasy writing to you. From such sources, as well as just about any other imaginative writing or screenplay you will be able to pluck kernels from which grow the fruits of exciting campaigns. Good reading!

Inspirational Reading:

Anderson, Poul. THREE HEARTS AND THREE LIONS; THE HIGH CRUSADE, The BROKEN SWORD

Moorcock, Michael. STORMBRINGER; STEALER OF SOULS; "Hawkmoon" Series (esp. the first three books)

Norton, Andre.

Offut, Andrew J., editor SWORDS AGAINST DARKNESS III

Pratt, Fletcher. BLUE STAR; et al.

Saberhagen, Fred. CHANGELING EARTH; et al.

St. Clair, Margaret. THE SHADOW PEOPLE; SIGN OF THE LABRYS

Tolkien, J.R.R. THE HOBBIT; "Ring Trilogy"

Vance, Jack. THE EYES OF THE OVERWORLD; THE DYING EARTH; et al.

Weinbaum, Stanley.

Wellman, Manly Wade.Williamson, Jack.

Zelazny, Roger. JACK OF SHADOWS; "Amber" Series; et al.

The most immediate influences upon AD&D were probably de Camp & Pratt, REH, Fritz Leiber, Jack Vance, HPL, and A. Merritt; but all the above authors, as well as many not listed, certainly helped to shape the form of the game. For ythis reason, and for the hours of reading enjoyment, I heartily recommend the works of these fine authors to you.